Apple has reportedly committed to increased disclosure about why it took certain apps off the App Store, according to people familiar with the matter. This follows allegations that Apple’s decision-making process in this area is not transparent.
Activist investors among Apple shareholders secured commitments from the company earlier this month, according to three people familiar with the matter. Last March, at Apple’s annual shareholder meeting, nearly a third of shareholders voted for a resolution calling on Apple to be more transparent about its relationships with foreign governments.
This time, the petition, led by US-based Azzad Asset Management and UK-based activist investor platform Tulipshare, is calling on Apple to provide more details in this regard. Apple declined to comment on this story.
As promised, Apple will provide investors with more details on app removals in its transparency report, including how many apps were requested by each country’s government, whether the request was based on laws and regulations, and whether Apple complied, the sources said. these requirements.
Constance Ricketts (Constance Ricketts), head of shareholder rights at Tulipshare, said that the previous information disclosure model kept shareholders in the dark and could not specifically understand Apple’s decision.
Tulipshare said that Apple has agreed to publish the legal basis for app removal requests from governments in its next transparency report, which will be categorized by country and app category. However, people familiar with the matter said that Apple still will not explain why a specific app was removed as the petitioners hoped.
Apple has also pledged to disclose by country how many apps have been removed for violating App Store rules or developer license agreements, according to people familiar with the matter.
“This information will help determine whether Apple’s decision stifles freedom of information and expression,” Ricketts said.
